Want to enjoy your doubles more? Want to play doubles more successfully? Learn to move correctly when you are playing the net position-either as the server's partner (SP) or as the receiver's partner (RP). Most people assume a position at the net and rarely move unless the ball is hit right at them. What you should be doing is constantly adjusting your position at the net vis-à-vis the ball.

If you start as the SP, you should be just about in the middle of the serving box on your side of the net. As the ball lands in the service box opposite you and the receiver begins to strike the ball, you should be on the balls of your feet ready to spring forward or laterally for a poach interception. You are hoping the ball is hit somewhere near so you can score. But if your wise opponent hits crosscourt, you then want to shuffle a few feet backward and toward the self of the court. Your eyes are now on the RP, who will be the first person on the other side of the net to get the ball if your partner fails to make a good crosscourt return on her shot.

You take this defensive position in order to reduce the size of the gap between you and your partner if the opposing net person gets her racquet on the ball. By adjusting this way you also give yourself a little more time and space in which to react to her shot. Don't look over your shoulder to see what your partner is doing-have confidence that she will do the right thing and hit crosscourt, away from the net person. But if she fails, you'll be ready.

After your partner has hit successfully crosscourt, your attention will focus again on the other opponent (the original receiver). You now take a couple of quick steps in toward the self of the service box, assume a ready position just as she begins her forward swing, and you are poised to strike or poach any ball that she does not hit cleanly cross court. In other words, you have returned almost to your original position (as the SP) when the point started. You continue making these little forward and backward diagonal adjustments on each shot.

Your opponent (RP) across the net from you is mirroring your movements. You move forward, she moves back; you move back, she moves forward. Her original position was near the service line, so she could help her partner call service faults. After the serve lands in the box, however, her eyes are on you at the net and she is ready to react to any ball that you manage to hit due to a poor return of serve from her partner. Once her partner makes a good cross court return, she moves forward aggressively into the self of her service box (you in the meantime have moved back to better defend your team's court position.). She's hoping your partner will now hit a weak shot that she can poach for a winner. If your partner hits crosscourt and out of her reach, she shuffles back again to her defensive position near the service line and her attention returns to you. She, like you, wants to narrow the gap between herself and her partner and give herself more time and space to react to any poach you may attempt on a weak crosscourt return by her partner.

This continuous movement and adjustment by both the SP and RP to the direction and placement of the ball is the essence of doubles. Played like way, you won't be complaining that doubles doesn't provide enough exercise. Indeed, you'll be exhausted after a good match. But the benefit goes beyond a good aerobic workout. Moving and adjusting in this way is how good doubles is played. You'll be more engaged in each point and will begin to anticipate and react better to your opponent's shots. You'll be poaching more and getting back more volleys. Moreover, your movement at the net is going to be a source of worry and distraction to your opponents. They'll begin to miss more shots as they concentrate more on your movements than hitting the ball or try too hard to keep the ball away from you.

Next time you are playing doubles, move and adjust to the ball as described above. You'll get a good workout, you'll be more successful, and you'll enjoy your regular doubles matches a lot more.

Randy Cummings
Match Point Racquet Sports
www.racquetgear.com